Crescendo

INTERNATIONAL CRESCENDO MUSIC AWARDS

In the spring of 1999, with a budget of $1,500, six members of the Rotary Club of Tulsa met in the choir room of First United Methodist Church and auditioned 11 student musicians. The Rotarians were so impressed with the talent that they personally added another $600 and awarded the total amount to four students. It was this event that sparked the dream of Rotarian and musician, Joseph A. Bias, and launched what has since become an internationally recognized event featuring world-class musicians.

Over the next fifteen years, the competition increased is quality and quantity of competitors as well as prizes, reaching $10,000 to each first-place winner in four categories.

The International Crescendo Music Awards committee is currently reviewing the annual competition, with the goal of transitioning one of the Rotary Club of Tulsa’s signature events to a grants program. Therefore, we will not hold a competition in 2015 or 2016. Please check back periodically for updates on our transition. We look forward to a productive and exciting future for the awards program.

Robert Babcock has a passion for inclusion. “Everyone has a place at life’s table” and he works hard to make sure each person’s contribution is valued, respected and purposeful.

“In this diverse world of ours, it is important to recognize and value our differences and maintain balance. Then we can create a world of synergy which fuels our greatest potential through inclusion,” he said.

Robert is Director of Community Relations for ONE Gas, a natural gas distribution company headquartered in Tulsa. ONE Gas is the parent company of Oklahoma’s largest natural gas utility, Oklahoma Natural Gas, which has been in operation since 1906 serving families and businesses in our great state.

Before he assumed this role, Robert was in the Human Resources Department at ONE Gas, and was responsible for leading Inclusion and Diversity initiatives. Prior to that he created and implemented the “Live Smart” health and wellness initiative at ONEOK.

A graduate of the University of Arkansas with a BA in Geography, he spends time training for marathons and is actively involved in the renaissance of Tulsa and Oklahoma City. ... See MoreSee Less

Next year, Oklahoma's archaic liquor laws will change with the sale of wine in grocery stores; strong, cold beer in liquor stores and on-premises sales of Oklahoma-brewed craft beer. This Wednesday at Downtown Rotary, a panel of distinguished industry leaders will talk about how the new laws are impacting their part of the business and how the average Oklahoman will see changes in the way they purchase alcohol. Come hear Mike Thornbrugh with QuikTrip, Tina Parkhill with Parkhill's Warehouse Liquors and Wines, and Eric Marshall with Marshall Brewing Company share their perspectives. ... See MoreSee Less

Tulsa’s downtown rebirth was already underway, but when developer Stuart Price and Price Family Properties acquired 13 properties from San Francisco philanthropist Maurice Kanbar earlier this year, that renaissance received a solid shot in the arm. At Wednesday's Club Meeting, Stuart will share his vision for downtown Tulsa and how attracting young professionals will match the growth and vitality of his expanded real estate portfolio. ... See MoreSee Less

As pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Dr. Owens is recognized as one of Tulsa’s most thoughtful and influential African American leaders. The Tulsa World recognized him as a Tulsan of the Year for helping keep…